contuse

[ kuhn-tooz, -tyooz ]

verb (used with object)

, con·tused, con·tus·ing.

1. to injure (tissue), especially without breaking the skin; bruise.

contuse

/ kənˈtjuːz /

verb

1. tr to injure (the body) without breaking the skin; bruise

Derived Forms

• conˈtusive, adjective

Other Words From

• con·tu·sive [k, uh, n-, too, -siv, -, tyoo, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contuse¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin contūsus, past participle of contundere “to bruise, crush,” equivalent to con- “with, together” + tud- (root with nasal infix of tundere “to beat”) + -tus past participle suffix, with -dt- becoming -s- ; con-

Word History and Origins

Origin of contuse¹

C15: from Latin contūsus bruised, from contundere to grind, from tundere to beat, batter

Example Sentences

The lesser degree of penetrative power, and increased capacity to contuse, possessed by such fragments are obvious.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bash
• beat
• bruise
• buffet
• clobber
• crush
• demolish
• destroy
• hurt
• injure
• lash
• mar
• pelt
• pummel
• punish
• ruin
• shatter
• smash
• wallop
• wreck